The Milwaukee Bucks are down 0-2 in the 2021 NBA Finals after losing a big game against the Phoenix Suns. The Eastern Conference champions tried to tie the series on Thursday night, where Giannis Antetokounmpo seemed to be the only one playing.
The NBA community couldn’t stop talking about the Greek Freak’s performance and the little help he received from his teammates. They weren’t the only ones missing last night, as Mike Budenholzer also received criticism for his lack of adjustments.
Moreover, fans noticed that things didn’t start the best way for the Bucks. The coach isn’t the most eloquent man of all when motivating players, confirming that with his pre-game speech. Ahead of Game 2 of the Finals, Coach Bud addressed his players like they were about to play the first match of the season, saying a couple of generic words before heading to the court (S/O Redditor “manwhatthefawk“).
“Play fast, play random, play together, play in great space, so play some basketball,” Budenholzer told his players.
Mike Budenholzer's Game 2 NBA Finals unmotivating speech again pic.twitter.com/mtazYhEH4K
— hoops bot (@hoops_bot) July 9, 2021
This obviously isn’t what you expect to hear from a coach before a Finals game, and fans roasted him for his ‘unmotivating’ speech.
Put this up against to how Monty talks to Ayton.
Perfect summary of his coaching style lol “do whatever you want”
What if we… won the game .. aha ha just kidding.. unless..?
Zero affect to his his voice. He sounds like a death row inmate
I was so sure this was just the same clip they played, but it’s f***ing different.
My man spitting straight fire
“play random” lol coach buds favorite thing to say
“Throw a dolphin at ’em”
Don’t look at me. Y’all mfers need to play MORE RANDOM
-Coach Bud during a timeout prolly
Also the fact that he has to read this nothing off the chalkboard every time like he can’t remember these 3 points + have fun and play some basketball
Bud’s just out here gambling.
Dribble orange spherical object. Pass orange spherical object. Put orange spherical object into round spherical goalpost bolted onto plexiglass frame. Prevent enemy from doing the same. On to victory.
Play random is definitely what he was thinking with the first timeout he called in the first quarter when the Bucks were killing Suns in the paint and Book wasn’t warm yet. Killed a lot of momentum.
“If we play random, they can’t game plan for it.” Coach Bud probably.
Play smart, Play fast. F***ing Redditors want me to be Al Pacino in Any Given Sunday.
Budenholzer told players a similar speech before Game 1, which makes this more curious.
Mike Budenholzer's NBA Finals Game 1 unmotivating speech pic.twitter.com/x04ktZudBJ
— hoops bot (@hoops_bot) July 8, 2021
The differences between Bud and Monty Williams during Game 2 were big. The Suns’ coach shared an incredible moment with Deandre Ayton during a timeout, motivating him to go out there and ‘conquer’ Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“Look at me, you set a high level for yourself. That’s why you’re down. That’s great. Now, go reach that level. And you can reach it with force. Doesn’t have to be stats all the time. Go dominate the game with force. OK? Because you set a high level for yourself. Go dominate the game with force. Let’s go!”
SOUND ON for this Monty Williams coaching moment with Deandre Ayton. 💯#NBAFinals on ABC pic.twitter.com/qPqD2Y4Ryd
— NBA (@NBA) July 9, 2021
The Bucks’ head coach has a lot of work to do before Game 3 of the series. Milwaukee must show a different face against the Suns before it’s too late. Giannis can’t do the job alone. Even though he’s putting historical numbers, the Greek Freak needs some help from everybody around him, including his coach.
